Honda NC700X

and Motorcycle.com StaffPhotos by: Brian BladesVideo by: Jay McNally

The cool kids always pick on the weird one, the kid with the hump, the wandering eye, the massive storage compartment where its gas tank should be. You could argue that the HondaNC700X doesn’t even belong in this group, but we decided to let it come along anyway, since it’s great for stowing GoPros and things. Oh, and because Yamaha identified the 670cc parallel-Twin NC as a competitor for its 689cc parallel-Twin FZ-07. As the heaviest bike here and second-to-weakest in the horsepower department, it wasn’t going to win the backroad-maniac competition. It’s also the longest of wheelbase and is 0.2-inch from having the tallest seat. Heck, man, it’s not even naked with that little windscreen; in profile it’s more a small adventure bike.

The funny thing, though, is whoever was riding the NC over all the ridiculously twisty, entertaining roads these bikes dragged us to like truffling pigs, always managed to keep the pack in sight. Is it easier to go fast on the 115-pound lighter, 19-hp stronger KTM Duke? Yes. Can the Duke carry a bowling ball? No. Which one do you want to drag your tired butt home over the freeway when playtime is done? That’s right, the NC.

As usual it’s horses for courses, and if you’re after the best sportbike in the group, the NC isn’t it. But 42 foot-pounds of torque at only 4700 rpm means you can always get the throttle open early, and the NC’s long, stable chassis and lack of any kind of horsepower hit make you feel like it’s okay to just keep it open. Run it a gear higher to take advantage of its torque and avoid the low rev limiter. Longish-travel and well-balanced suspension works very well for the whole MO crew, ranging in weight from 150 to 270 pounds. “Considering its suspension travel is the longest of this group, the spring/damper combination keeps the bike remarkably composed when ridden aggressively,” says Captain Duke.

Some of us couldn’t wait to stop riding in order to recommence slagging on the NC, usually following a midpack finish, while fishing a warm Gatorade and a granola bar out of its live well.

There’s more to life than sport riding. As a day-to-day commuter/errand runner, the NC has no peer in this group. None. If you’re a one-bike family, you could do way worse than the NC700X, and don’t forget the 58 mpg under combat conditions – the best fuel mileage here by a long shot.

Actually the ad revenue for video triggers on starts, so MO gets the cut either way. The lame part is that the advertiser is allowed a 30 second play for the money and people are either forced to watch it, or pause it.

The user experience in most new forms (see: video) advertising is quite poor and will eventually adapt to user feedback as time goes on, but much like commercials on TV, we’re going to have to watch them if we want the programming for awhile longer.

BTW, the FZ was an easy pick without even reading the article. Surprised the buzziness of the highstrung KTM wasn’t talked about more. It’s a fantastic bike, but is obnoxious droning on a freeway.

jerry mander

Perfect time to go grab some Doritos!

Auphliam

Pet Peave Alert: Why does the Ninja dash have to say “Clock” right above the time display? There’s not some other kind of moto-related data displayed in hours/minutes, amirite?

dustysquito .

While the Ninja’s dash doesn’t have anything else that would look like a clock but not be one, my bike has Ride Time, Accumulated Ride Time, and Lap Timer functions built into the dash as well as a clock, so having it remind you which one you’re on is handy.

Auphliam

Ah, good point.

‘Mike Smith

Great comparison guys. The only thing I wish y’all would do is some drag racing on these things. Quarter mile times, 0-60, 0-100 times would be as appreciated as any other stats already listed.

sundogmtn

I like your format on the videos of open discussion which help cover almost every possible aspect. It will help sell bikes. What I find missing to help the individual buyer is what consumer groups have provided for decades, reliability ratings. If you are a new rider you likely won’t be doing your own mechanical work and that would be very expensive these days.

George Herbert

Its to bad the US gets screwed on the NC700/750 platform. even here in Canada we get the X and S versions, ABS standard without the auto trans.

denchung

Honda Canada also introduced the 750 engine with the 2014 model year while the US is still using the 700.

Goose

And you can get the NC750 with ABS without the DCT and without the stupid linked ABS found on the 700. The NC750 would still have finished last in this test but Honda has lost a sure NC750 sale (me) with this idiotic embargo on the improved NC.

One other thing, the 750 isn’t just a bigger engine, the new bike is better in nearly every way. Besides the bigger motor and ABS without the DCT you also get an improved transmission, better instruments, improved seat, second balance shaft, etc. for a few hundred dollars more. I’ve read Honda’s logic is the 750 will cost more. That didn’t seem to bother them when they raised the price of the 700 by $800 without making any improvements. They’ve about driven this customer away.

American Honda is a little bit stupid sometimes. And then sometimes they do the right thing, like bringing the VFR800/Interceptor to the US. How well did that sell?

Goose

Honda marketing slogan “Preventing sales since 1963”.

One other thing, the 750 isn’t just a bigger engine, the new bike is better in nearly every way. Besides the bigger motor and ABS without the DCT you also get an improved transmission, better instruments, improved seat, second balance shaft, etc. for a few hundred dollars more. I’ve read Honda’s logic is the 750 will cost more. That didn’t seem to bother them when they raised the price of the 700 by $800 without making any improvements. They’ve about driven this customer away.

DickRuble

Who in the riding group weighs 270lbs? Needs to trade the motorcycle for a bicycle and the doritos for some soy beans.

So I don’t see your picture up there. I was 360 pounds for a long time but I rode anyway. Reasons aren’t important, Your bigotry is not acceptable. Tried everything to lose weight. Gastric Bypass finally allowed me to lose 130 pounds and keep it off but some can’t even do that. It’s not always the person’s fault. Depression era parents who force you to eat everything on your plate gives you a pretty permanent eating habit. I’m GLAD they have someone on there who can give a perspective from a heavier person.

Kenneth

Thanks for the thoughtful and comprehensive review, MO, of widely-appealing bikes for the cost-conscious (I will be new bike shopping next spring). The only missing ingredient for me is — not here yet: The new Versys 650. ‘Anxiously awaiting that coming review. By the way, I appreciate a straight-on, side-view photo of each tested bike with a normally-sized rider mounted, to see its ergonomics.

DickRuble

Normally-sized? Where? I didn’t see any of those..

Old MOron

After all the excitement of Intermot, I was kind of having withdrawals.
MO comes through in MO style! – fluttering mutton chops, tender buttocks, and all.
Highly informative and very entertaining at the same time. Well done, MO.
I can’t wait to see these bikes at the Long Beach show.

Reid

The FZ-07 is unquestionably the best bike in the test, given the price. The Duke is just too expensive. If its pricing were in-line with the FZ (even FZ-09, for that matter), I strongly believe it would win this test.

DickRuble

though the Duke is what I’d rather ride in town…

Reid

The Duke is an exceptionally good bike. I bought one. It wasn’t cheap though lol

DickRuble

Post a picture..

BTRDAYZ

Congrats to the Duke 690 for it’s runner up finish. It’s my favorite bike of the group because KTM extracted maximum power from a single cylinder. Also, it’s the most expensive, but it has the most attractive frame. So much so that KTM doesn’t resort to the cheesy trick of trying to hide the frame beneath plastic molded to look like an alloy frame (God, I hate that!!!).

Hope you bring back the Duke and FZ to test alongside the Ducati Scrambler when it arrives!

Andrew Capone

I really want a lusty thumper in the fleet, and the Duke is the obvious choice. I’d have to repaint the thing, KTM psychedelia doesn’t do it for me. But I really dig that thing.

Luke

Even thought I’m not as heavy, I appreciate the comments from the bigger guy in the field. It might be a good idea to list the height weight of all the reviewers. I’m 200lbs, and 6’1″ and I sometimes feel like most motorcycle reviewers are a good 5 inches shorter and 50lbs. lighter.

Ditto. I’m 6′, 240lbs WITHOUT gear. Seems like many reviewers are light/thin and height-challenged? Is that the right way to say that? I dunno.

Chris_in_Kalifornia

I wish I was 6′ and 240. I’m 5’6″ 240 also without gear. And I lost a bunch too. Loved my 04 Vstrom. I’d rather have a brand new 04 Vstrom than any of these.

Old MOron

Okay, I finally watched the video. Well done, gents.

Backroad Bob

“even the losers are winners”. Sounds like the New America. JB, you’re a classic. More, please.

Paul Cypert

As an aside dealerships were practically giving last year’s Dukes away. Around 6K OTD was not unheard of….

Chris_in_Kalifornia

What the NC700 needs is a supercharger. Hmm. I wonder if a big smog pump off a late 70’s luxury barge would work…

I saw a supercharged GL1200 Honda a long time ago, built by a machinist. Looked stock, wickedly fast.

DCGULL01

This just validates my theory that the FZ-07 is the everything bike for everyman (and woman!). I love the comparison though- it really shows how choppy this market segment is- proving that every manufacturer is aiming for a slice-rather than the whole pie! Like Suzuki’s SV- Yamaha’s FZ-07 will still be in the hunt in over 10 years, when the current crop is tested again. Middle-aged buyers (silent majority that have/spend money) have been ignored until the “lil’ Yamaha that could”, but, now we can do what we do: do our own services, and- tinker with accessories, like we love too. This will change, highlight- elevate this segment- and, all manufacturers will want some- so, our world is going to get better and better for the next few years!

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